Finals time for students in Paul Kelly Cup

Rain and grey skies failed to dampen the spirits of more than 250 Primary School students who travelled from far and wide to play on the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground turf for the Paul Kelly Cup – Swans Zone Finals this week.

Year 5 and 6 students from 14 schools across the Illawarra, Central Coast, northern NSW and metropolitan Sydney competed in the largest AFL primary school competition in NSW and the ACT.

Sydney Swans players Jed Lamb, Tim Membrey and Jake Lloyd dropped in while QBE Sydney Swans Academy coach Paul Roos was on hand to present the winners medals.

Named after a former Sydney Swans great, the Paul Kelly Cup consists of schools competing in round robin carnivals in their local area.

Games are played on a smaller field using modified 12-a-side rules which allow children who are new to the game to experience and enjoy AFL in a safe and fun environment.

Swans co-captain Kieren Jack was introduced to AFL playing for Pennant Hills Public School in a Paul Kelly Cup competition.

“The Paul Kelly Cup, this is where it all started for me,” he said.

“I was an 11, 12 year old, this was my first introduction to the game.

“I didn’t know a thing about it but came out – I think there were about 80 Primary Schools at the time involved in the Cup and now there’s about 1000 so it probably shows how much the game’s grown in that space of time.

“These kids, while they don’t all play AFL, they’re out here just enjoying it and giving it a go and that’s what you want to see.”

Local Paul Kelly Cup days are held in Term 1 and early Term 2 with winning teams progressing to the regional finals which were held over the last month.

Lilli Pilli Public School took out the Girls’ competition ahead of Telarah Public School, Kanwal Public School, Yamba Public School, Forestville Public School, Lane Cove Public School, Waniora Public School and Thirroul Public School.

In the Boys’ competition, Newington College came out on top against Wallsend South Public School, St John The Baptist, Woy Woy, Kanwal Public School, Harbord Public School, Lilli Pilli Public School, Gerringong Public School and Mittagong Public School Lions.

Both winners will play an exhibition final at half-time of the Sydney Swans v Hawthorn Hawks game in late August against the GIANTS Zone Winners.